RF AND SONIC SYSTEMS FOR PREVENTING SHOPLIFTING OF GOODS AND UNAUTHORIZED REMOVAL OF CAPSULES AFFIXED THERETO FOR PROTECTING GOODS

• US 3,713,133 A
• Filed: 02/16/1971
• Issued: 01/23/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Nathans
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Nathans
• Inventors: Nathans, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US05/115,274
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 340/280,258D,258B,258C,224,405
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system

Abstract

Capsules or tags are affixed to a plurality of goods kept within a storage area, which capsules produce an alarm indication upon unauthorized removal of the goods through an exit area. The capsules or tags bear the designation '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Don'"'"''"'"'t Remove-Electronic Alarm'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and contain first and second resonant devices and are affixed to the goods by means of an ordinary safety pin. The first resonant device actuates an article removal alarm when the goods pass through the exit area, whereas the unauthorized opening of the safety pin in an attempt to remove the capsule in the storage area to defeat the system enables the second resonant device which in turn produces a capsule removal alarm in the storage area and as a result a greater deterrent is present with respect to theft of the goods and special unwieldy fastening devices such as rivets, requiring special measures for application and removal are eliminated. Additionally small and/or delicate goods may be protected, which goods would not be protected owing to the aforementioned rivets or special fastening devices. Sonic systems which may or may not produce a capsule removal alarm operate preferably in the ultrasonic range. An extended range capsule is particularly well adapted for protecting goods stored in a warehouse.

Claims

1. A method of deterring the unauthorized removal of goods through a given exit area by attaching a capsule to each of the goods to be protected, said capsule including a resonant device for mechanically operating at at least one predetermined frequency of vibration comprising the steps of:

a. causing said resonant device to mechanically resonate at a predetermined frequency of vibration at said given exit area by directing sonic energy thereat;

b. detecting the mechanical resonance of said resonant device at said given exit area by detecting at least a portion of wave energy reradiated by said resonant device; and

c. producing an article removal alarm indication in response to the detection of said wave energy reradiated by said resonant device at said given exit area.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of detecting the mechanical resonance of said resonant device includes selectively detecting a resonant frequency of sound generated by said vibrating resonant device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of causing said resonant device to mechanically resonate at said predetermined frequency includes directing sonic energy at the capsules attached to said goods within said given area, said sonic energy having a frequency which induces mechanical vibration of said resonant device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said step of detecting the mechanical resonance of said resonant device includes directing radio frequency energy at said capsules and detecting the modulation of the returned portion of said radio frequency energy produced by the vibration of said resonant device.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of detecting the mechanical resonance of said resonant device includes selectively detecting a resonant frequency of sound generated by said vibrating resonant device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein sonic energy is directed at said capsules in bursts and the selective detection of the sound generated by the vibrating resonant device is performed between said bursts.

7. A method of deterring unauthorized removal of an article from a storAge area through an exit area comprising the steps of:

a. attaching a capsule to a protected article stored within said storage area, said capsule including a first and second resonant device, each resonant device including a vibrating body which mechanically resonates in response to the receipt of sonic energy;

b. causing said first resonant device to resonate within said exit area by directing sonic energy at said capsule generated outside of said capsule;

c. detecting the resonance of said first resonant device within said exit area and producing an article removal signal in response to the detection of the resonance of said first resonant device in said exit area but not in said storage area;

d. interrogating said second resonant device in said storage area by directing sonic energy at said capsule generated outside of said capsule capable of causing said second resonant device to resonate;

e. inhibiting the resonance of said second resonant device when said capsule is attached to said article to be protected;

f. enabling the resonance of said second resonant device upon the unauthorized removal of said capsule from said article to be protected;

g. detecting the resonance of said second resonant device produced by said unauthorized removal; and

h. producing a capsule removal indication signal in response to the last named step.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said vibrating body is a piezoelectric body and resonance thereof is produced by directing sonic energy thereon.

9. An externally activated capsule specifically designed to deter unauthorized removal of an article from a storage area through an exit area upon being activated at said exit area, said capsule being attached to said article and said capsule comprising:

a. a support member;

b. a first passive resonant device positioned upon said support member;

c. a second passive resonant device comprising a vibrating body which mechanically resonates at a particular frequency positioned upon said support member;

d. fastening means for attaching said support member to said article to be protected; and

e. control means including a damper for damping said vibrating body when said fastening means assumes a first state and for undamping said vibrating body when said fastening means assumes a second state.

10. The capsule of claim 9 wherein said vibrating body comprises a thin metallic diaphragm.

11. A device for use in a theft prevention system for preventing the unauthorized removal of goods from a given area, said device being attached to said goods within said given area and comprising:

a. a mechanical diaphragm designed to mechanically vibrate at a given frequency of vibration;

b. coupling means for attaching said mechanical diaphragm to said goods to be protected; and

c. control means positioned between said coupling means and said mechanical diaphragm for selectively damping the vibrations of said mechanical diaphragm when said coupling means assumes a first state and for undamping the vibrations of said mechanical diaphragm when said coupling means assumes a second state.

12. An externally activated capsule specifically designed to deter unauthorized removal of an article from a storage area through an exit area upon being activated at said exit area, said capsule being attached to said article and said capsule comprising:

a. a support member;

b. a resonant device positioned upon said support member for coacting with an article removal alarm device associated with said exit area for producing an article removal alarm when said capsule is positioned at said exit area but not within said storage area;

c. a radiant energy source positioned upon said support member for generating a radiating signal capable of being detected by a capsule removal alarm device;

d. a power source for activating said radiant energy source;

e. a fastener for coupling said capsule to said article to be protected;

f. poweR control means for causing said power source to activate said radiant energy source upon the actuation of said fastener; and

g. a pair of recharging terminals coupled to said power source to enable the external recharging of said power source.

13. The capsule as set forth in claim 12 further including a device having an asymmetrical current conducting characteristic coupled between one of said terminals and said power source for enabling external charging thereof and at the same time for preventing external short circuiting of said power source by an individual tampering with said capsule.